Component supply device and tape peeling method in component supply device

ABSTRACT

There is provided a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter, including: a transporter that transports a carrier tape in which the component is stored and of which an upper surface is sealed with a cover tape, along a transport path; a peeler that is disposed above the transport path and peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape; and an ejector that ejects a gas for capturing the cover tape by the peeler.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter and a tape peeling method for peeling off a cover tape from a carrier tape in the component supply device.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter, a tape feeder which positions the component at a component pickup position by a component mounting mechanism by pitch-feeding the carrier tape in which the component is stored, is often used. A cover tape sticks on an upper surface of the carrier tape to seal a recess portion in which the component is stored, and on the upstream side in a tape feeding direction of the component pickup position in the tape feeder, a tape peeling mechanism for exposing the component by peeling the cover tape is provided. As a configuration of a tape peeling mechanism for automatically peeling off the cover tape, there is known a configuration in which the cover tape is sandwiched between a pair of feed rollers and fed in a peeling direction (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication 2005-539370).

In the related art illustrated in the Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication 2005-539370, a configuration in which an automatic tape peeling mechanism including a cover tape pulling peeling edge, a diverter, and a pair of drive gears is provided at a position away from a pickup position where a component is suctioned and picked up by a vacuum nozzle, and the cover tape peeled off by the diverter is fed to a cover tape storage by a drive gear that serves as a feed roller is described.

SUMMARY

There is provided a component supply device of the disclosure for supplying a component to a component mounter, including: a transporter that transports a carrier tape in which the component is stored and of which an upper surface is sealed with a cover tape, along a transport path; a peeler that is disposed above the transport path and peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape; and an ejector that ejects a gas for capturing the cover tape by the peeler.

There is provided a tape peeling method for peeling off a cover tape from a carrier tape in which a component is stored and of which an upper surface is sealed with the cover tape, in a component supply device of the disclosure for supplying a component to a component mounter, the method including: transporting the carrier tape along a transport path; peeling the cover tape from the carrier tape by a peeler disposed above the transport path; and ejecting by an ejector a gas for capturing the cover tape by the peeler.

According to the disclosure, it is possible to stably capture the cover tape by leading a distal end portion of the cover tape to a tape peeling mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of a component supply device in First Example of an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in First Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in First Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory view of a component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5A is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5B is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6A is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8A is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8B is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Second Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a configuration explanatory view of a component supply device in Third Example of the embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11A is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Third Example of the embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 11B is an operation explanatory view of the component supply device in Third Example of the embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

Prior to describing the embodiments, problems in the related art will be briefly described.

In a technology of the related art including the above-described Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication 2005-539370, having a configuration in which a cover tape peeled off from a carrier tape is sandwiched by a feed roller and the tape is fed, when reliably capturing the cover tape and feeding the tape, there were the following problems. In other words, in the tape peeling mechanism having the above-described configuration, it is necessary to feed and sandwich the cover tape between a pair of feed rollers. However, in general, since the cover tape is thin and has low rigidity, it is difficult to guide the cover tape and it is difficult to stably feed the cover tape between the feed rollers. In particular, in an auto loading type tape feeder which automatically installs the carrier tape, when newly installing the carrier tape, it is necessary to correctly feed a distal end portion of the cover tape which is partly peeled off from a base tape and is in an unstable behavior state and to lead the distal end portion of the cover tape to a space between the feed rollers, and it is desired to take a new countermeasure that corresponds to such a demand.

Here, an object of the disclosure is to provide a component supply device and a tape peeling method in the component supply device which can stably capture the cover tape by leading the distal end portion of the cover tape to a tape peeling mechanism.

Next, embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of tape feeder 1 which is the component supply device of First Example in the embodiment, will be described. Tape feeder 1 is used by being installed on a component mounter for mounting an electronic component on a board, and has a function of supplying a component stored in carrier tape 3 (refer to FIG. 2) to a component pickup position by a component mounting mechanism in the component mounter.

In FIG. 1, main body 1 a is a frame that forms an outer shape of tape feeder 1. On the inside of main body 1 a, transport path 2 for transporting carrier tape 3 in which a component to be supplied is stored is provided to longitudinally pass main body 1 a in a tape transport direction. Carrier tape 3 has a configuration in which an upper surface of base tape 3 a provided with embossed portion 4 which is a recess portion in which the component is stored is sealed with cover tape 3 b (refer to FIG. 2). In addition, there is also a case where the recess portion of the embossed portion is referred to as a pocket.

Transport path 2 opens to tape input port 2 a provided at a lower portion of a side end surface on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 1), and inclined portion 2 b provided obliquely upward is achieved in an intermediate portion of main body 1 a. On the downstream side of inclined portion 2 b, transport path 2 is provided along the upper surface of main body 1 a and opens to the side end surface on the downstream side. On the downstream side of the transport path 2, component pickup position 2 c is provided to be positioned on the upper surface of main body 1 a.

As a mounting head of the component mounting mechanism provided in component mounting apparatus 18 accesses component pickup position 2 c, the component stored in carrier tape 3 is picked up by the mounting head. In the periphery of component pickup position 2 c, an upper part of transport path 2 is covered with cover member 8, and carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2 is guided by cover member 8 on the upper surface side.

In transport path 2, below component pickup position 2 c, first tape transport means 7A configured with first sprocket 5A and first driving mechanism 6A is disposed. In transport path 2, in the vicinity of the downstream side of tape input port 2 a, second tape transport means 7B configured with second sprocket 5B and second driving mechanism 6B is disposed. First sprocket 5A and second sprocket 5B are provided with feed pins which are engaged with feed holes formed in base tape 3 a at an outer circumference. In addition, there is also a case where second tape transport means 7B is not provided.

First driving mechanism 6A and second driving mechanism 6B include a motor that serves as a driving source, and has a function of transmitting rotation of the motor to first sprocket 5A and second sprocket 5B via a driving transmission mechanism, such as a gear. By controlling first driving mechanism 6A and second driving mechanism 6B by controller 16, first tape transport means 7A and second tape transport means 7B transport carrier tape 3 along transport path 2. Therefore, first tape transport means 7A and second tape transport means 7B become a transporter for transporting carrier tape 3 along transport path 2.

In the tape transport, second tape transport means 7B has a function of feeding carrier tape 3 inserted from tape input port 2 a to the downstream side along transport path 2. By engaging first sprocket 5A with base tape 3 a of carrier tape 3 fed from the upstream side, first tape transport means 7A has a function of feeding the pocket of embossed portion 4 provided on the lower surface side of base tape 3 a to component pickup position 2 c.

In inclined portion 2 b of transport path 2, at an obliquely lower part on the upstream side of component pickup position 2 c, peeler 9 configured with a pair of rollers 9 a and 9 b for feeding the tape, and peeling driving mechanism 10 for driving peeler 9 are provided. Peeling driving mechanism 10 includes a motor that serves as a driving source, and has a function of transmitting the rotation of the motor to rollers 9 a and 9 b via the driving transmission mechanism, such as a gear. By controlling peeling driving mechanism 10 by controller 16, or by rotating the sprocket attached to roller 9 a by carrier tape 3, and by rotating roller 9 a, a peeling operation of cover tape 3 b which will be described hereinafter is executed.

Peeler 9 is provided above transport path 2 and communicates with transport path 2 via opening portion 2 d which is open on the upper surface side of inclined portion 2 b. Cover tape 3 b of carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2 from the upstream side is drawn into peeler 9 via opening portion 2 d and peeled off from base tape 3 a. Newly set carrier tape 3 is fed from tape input port 2 a of transport path 2 in a state where cover tape 3 b is partially peeled off from base tape 3 a in the distal end portion. In addition, in a case where second tape transport means 7B is not provided, carrier tape 3 is pushed by an operator. In addition, when the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 reaches opening portion 2 d, the partially peeled cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9.

In other words, peeler 9 draws the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b between rollers 9 a and 9 b. Accordingly, cover tape 3 b is peeled off from base tape 3 a of carrier tape 3. Peeled cover tape 3 b is fed in a direction away from carrier tape 3, and is accommodated in cover tape collector 14 provided in main body 1 a. In other words, peeler 9 and peeling driving mechanism 10 configure tape peeling mechanism 11 for peeling off cover tape 3 b from carrier tape 3 and feeding the tape.

In this manner, by disposing tape peeling mechanism 11 that peels off cover tape 3 b from carrier tape 3 and feeds the tape obliquely downward on the upstream side of component pickup position 2 c, it is not necessary to dispose the mechanism part in the periphery of component pickup position 2 c on the upper surface of main body 1 a. Therefore, a free space is ensured around component pickup position 2 c, and it becomes possible to increase a degree of freedom of a component pick-up operation by the mounting head of the component mounting mechanism.

In inclined portion 2 b of transport path 2, detector 12 is disposed on the upstream side of the tape feeding position where peeler 9 is disposed. Detector 12 is a transmission detection type optical sensor and detects the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2. Detection result by detector 12 is fed to controller 16. In addition, in a case where carrier tape 3 is transparent, a dog which can mechanically come into contact with the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 is provided, displacement of the dog caused when carrier tape 3 comes into contact with the dog is detected by the optical sensor, and accordingly, it is possible to detect the distal end portion of carrier tape 3.

At a position facing opening portion 2 d below inclined portion 2 b, air nozzle 13 for ejecting the air is disposed while an air ejecting direction is oriented toward peeler 9 positioned within opening portion 2 d. Air nozzle 13 has a function as an ejector for ejecting the air which is a gas for capturing cover tape 3 b by peeler 9. Air nozzle 13 is connected to solenoid valve 19 via air circuit 13 a, and the air is supplied to solenoid valve 19 from air supplier 15 via air circuit 15 a.

By controlling solenoid valve 19 with controller 16, the air supplied from air supplier 15 can be ejected from air nozzle 13 toward peeler 9 at any timing. In the embodiment, controller 16 controls the timing when the air is ejected from air nozzle 13 based on the detection result of detector 12.

In other words, controller 16 causes air to be ejected from air nozzle 13 at the timing when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b detected by detector 12 reaches a position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9, and blows the air to the distal end portion of carrier tape 3. In other words, controller 16 causes air nozzle 13 to eject the gas such that the gas is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 at the timing when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches a position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9. By blowing the air ejected by air nozzle 13 against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, cover tape 3 b partially peeled off from carrier tape 3 is pressed against one roller 9 a positioned on the downstream side. In addition, cover tape 3 b pressed against roller 9 a is sandwiched between one roller 9 a and other roller 9 b and pulled in a direction away from base tape 3 a, and accordingly, cover tape 3 b is peeled off from base tape 3 a.

At this time, the ejecting direction of air nozzle 13 is set such that air nozzle 13 blows the ejected air from below carrier tape 3 against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3. Accordingly, it becomes possible to blow the air from a direction appropriate for the purpose of capturing cover tape 3 b by peeler 9. In addition, the timing when the air is ejected from air nozzle 13 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, air nozzle 13 may start to eject the air before the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches the position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9. Even in this case, when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches the position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9, the air is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3.

In FIG. 1, controller 16 is connected to first driving mechanism 6A, second driving mechanism 6B, peeling driving mechanism 10, detector 12, and solenoid valve 19, and controller 16 controls the tape transport means and tape peeling mechanism 11. In other words, as controller 16 controls first driving mechanism 6A and second driving mechanism 6B, a tape transport operation of transporting carrier tape 3 along transport path 2 is executed. At this time, controller 16 can control the transport timing and transport amount of carrier tape 3.

Further, as controller 16 controls peeling driving mechanism 10 and solenoid valve 19 based on a detection signal of detector 12, a peeling operation of peeling cover tape 3 b from base tape 3 a of carrier tape 3 and a tape feeding operation of feeding peeled cover tape 3 b into cover tape collector 14 are executed. In the peeling operation, by controlling solenoid valve 19 and ejecting the air from air nozzle 13, cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9.

Operator 17 is connected to controller 16, and further, controller 16 is connected to component mounter 18 by a communication line. The above-described tape transport operation and tape feeding operation are executed by an operation command input from operator 17 and a control command transmitted from component mounter 18.

Next, the tape transport operation of transporting carrier tape 3 along transport path 2 in tape feeder 1 having the above-described configuration and the tape peeling method for peeling off cover tape 3 b from base tape 3 a of carrier tape 3 in the tape transport operation, will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the tape transport operation, a tape transporting step in which carrier tape 3 is transported along transport path 2, and the component is fed to component pickup position 2 c by the component mounter, is executed. When starting a tape transporting process, the tape input for feeding carrier tape 3 which is a component supply target into transport path 2 from tape input port 2 a illustrated in FIG. 1 is performed. At this time, in the distal end portion on the downstream side of carrier tape 3, as illustrated in FIG. 2, end portion processing is performed such that cover tape 3 b is partially peeled off from the upper surface of base tape 3 a only by a predetermined length in advance and it is easy to capture the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b by peeler 9.

By inputting the tape, second tape transport means 7B is activated, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the input carrier tape 3 is transported to the downstream side along transport path 2 (arrow a). When transporting the tape, in peeler 9 disposed in inclined portion 2 b, rollers 9 a and 9 b are in a rotating state (arrows b and c) in a direction in which the rollers 9 a and 9 b can sandwich and capture cover tape 3 b, and further, first sprocket 5A also rotates so as to make it possible to transport carrier tape 3 (arrow d).

In the tape transport process, a detecting step of detecting the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2 by detector 12 is executed, and the detection result is fed to controller 16. In addition, based on the detection result, a peeling step of peeling cover tape 3 b from carrier tape 3 is executed by peeler 9 provided above transport path 2. In the peeling step, a gas ejecting step for ejecting the air which is a gas for capturing cover tape 3 b by peeler 9 toward peeler 9 by air nozzle 13 that serves as the ejector, is executed.

The gas ejection in the gas ejecting step is performed as controller 16 controls solenoid valve 19 based on the detection result of the above-described detecting step. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in the process in which carrier tape 3 is further transported along transport path 2 (arrow e), at the timing when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches the position where the peeling is possible by peeler 9, the gas ejecting step is executed. In other words, the air ejected from air nozzle 13 is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 (arrow f).

In addition, in the gas ejecting step, by blowing the air ejected by air nozzle 13 against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, cover tape 3 b partially peeled off from carrier tape 3 is pressed against one roller 9 a positioned on the downstream side. In addition, cover tape 3 b pressed against roller 9 a is sandwiched between one roller 9 a and other roller 9 b and pulled in a direction away from base tape 3 a, and accordingly, cover tape 3 b is peeled off from base tape 3 a. In this manner, by using the configuration in which cover tape 3 b is sandwiched between rollers 9 a and 9 b by the air ejected by air nozzle 13, cover tape 3 b which is thin, has a small rigidity, and is difficult to be guided, can be reliably captured by peeler 9.

In the gas ejecting step, the ejecting direction of air nozzle 13 is set such that the ejected air is blown from below carrier tape 3 against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3. In addition, in the gas ejecting step, the timing of ejecting the air from air nozzle 13 is not limited to the above-described example, and the gas ejecting step by air nozzle 13 may be started before the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches a position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9. Even in this case, when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches the position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9, the air is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3.

Cover tape 3 b peeled off from base tape 3 a of carrier tape 3 by the above-described peeling operation is pulled in by peeler 9. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tape is further fed in a direction away from carrier tape 3, and is accommodated in cover tape collector 14. Base tape 3 a from which cover tape 3 b is peeled off in carrier tape 3 is transported to the downstream side along transport path 2 (arrow i).

First, with reference to FIG. 4, the overall configuration of tape feeder 1A which is the component supply device of Second Example in the embodiment, will be described. Tape feeder 1A has the same function as tape feeder 1 (refer to FIG. 1) in First Example. In addition, in FIG. 4, the same reference numerals will be given to elements having the same configuration as that of tape feeder 1 of First Example, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

In FIG. 4, main body 1 a is provided with transport path 2 having the same configuration as that of transport path 2 in First Example. Carrier tape 3 fed from tape input port 2 a to transport path 2 is transported along transport path 2 by first tape transport means 7A and second tape transport means 7B which are transporters. In inclined portion 2 b of transport path 2, peeler 9 provided above transport path 2 communicates with transport path 2 via opening portion 2 d which is open on the upper surface side of inclined portion 2 b.

Opening portion 2 d is provided with a cover that variably covers the open state of opening portion 2 d. The cover has a function of setting an open state of opening portion 2 d to be any of a first open state where the cover is retracted from an opening surface of opening portion 2 d and an opening size is large and a second open state where the cover is positioned on the opening surface of opening portion 2 d and the opening size is smaller than that in the first open state. Here, since the opening size is large, the first open state is an open state where introduction of cover tape 3 b to opening portion 2 d when cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9 is not impeded.

On the other hand, the second open state is an open state when the peeling of cover tape 3 b is performed continuously after cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9. In this state, in order to stabilize the component posture, it is required to make the range where the upper surface of base tape 3 a from which cover tape 3 b is peeled off is exposed extremely small. Therefore, the cover is positioned on the opening surface of opening portion 2 d and the upper surface of base tape 3 a is covered, and the opening size is made extremely small within a range that does not impede the passage of cover tape 3 b.

In other words, in the embodiment, the cover that covers opening portion 2 d in Second Example is configured to set the open state of opening portion 2 d to be any of the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b and a second open state where the opening size is smaller than that of the first open state and the passage of cover tape 3 b peeled off from carrier tape 3 is not impeded.

In addition, tape feeder 1A includes detector 12 that detects the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2, and an operator for operating the above-described cover. In Second Example illustrated in FIG. 4, the operator operates the cover based on the detection result of detector 12, and sets the open state of opening portion 2 d to the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b.

FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the cover having the above-described function is flap 20 provided in opening portion 2 d. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 7, the configuration and function of flap 20 provided in opening portion 2 d will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, on the upper surface side of inclined portion 2 b, there is provided opening portion 2 d for making peeler 9 provided above transport path 2 communicate with transport path 2.

At one end of opening portion 2 d, flap 20 that serves as a cover is rotatably provided. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, flap 20 includes thin plate-like flap plate 20 a and hinge 20 b that rotatably holds flap plate 20 a. Hinge 20 b is fixed to the frame of main body 1 a, flap plate 20 a rotates around hinge 20 b, and accordingly, the open state of opening portion 2 d is switched to any of the first open state illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B and the second open state illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

At a position facing opening portion 2 d below transport path 2, air nozzle 13 for ejecting the air is disposed while the air ejecting direction is oriented toward flap 20 provided in opening portion 2 d. Air nozzle 13 has a function as an ejector that ejects the air which is an operation gas based on the detection result of detector 12, and blows the ejected air against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 and flap 20. In addition, in Second Example, air nozzle 13 having the above-described configuration corresponds to the operator that operates the cover based on the detection result of detector 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, air nozzle 13 blows the ejected air against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 and flap 20 from below (arrow f). Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, flap plate 20 a is blown upward by an ejecting force of the air and rotates around hinge 20 b (arrow g). Accordingly, flap plate 20 a is retracted from the opening surface which makes opening portion 2 d communicate with transport path 2, and first opening space 51 having an opening size sufficient for introducing cover tape 3 b is formed in opening portion 2 d.

In addition, in ejecting the air, the air is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, and accordingly, similar to First Example, the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9 via opening portion 2 d. In other words, by blowing the air ejected by air nozzle 13 against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, cover tape 3 b partially peeled off from carrier tape 3 is pressed against one roller 9 a positioned on the downstream side. In addition, cover tape 3 b pressed against roller 9 a is sandwiched between one roller 9 a and other roller 9 b and pulled in a direction away from base tape 3 a, and accordingly, cover tape 3 b is peeled off from base tape 3 a.

Therefore, the state of opening portion 2 d illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B corresponds to the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b. In addition, from the state, the ejection of the air by air nozzle 13 is stopped, or carrier tape 3 passes and the air does not hit flap plate 20 a. Accordingly, flap plate 20 a rotates in a direction opposite to the arrow g illustrated in FIG. 6B by gravity and returns to the opening surface of opening portion 2 d, and the open state of the opening portion 2 d is the second state illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the second open state, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, flap plate 20 a is in a state along the upper surface of transport path 2. In addition, in opening portion 2 d, second opening space S2 having an opening size which does not impede the passage of cover tape 3 b peeled off from carrier tape 3 is formed between the distal end of flap plate 20 a and the frame.

In addition, in feeding cover tape 3 b after the peeling illustrated in FIG. 7, cover tape 3 b passes through second opening space S2 formed in opening portion 2 d. In addition, cover tape 3 b is sandwiched between one roller 9 a and other roller 9 b, pulled in the direction away from base tape 3 a (arrow h), and fed into cover tape collector 14. In the state, flap plate 20 a is positioned on the opening surface of opening portion 2 d, and covers the upper surface of base tape 3 a in a state where cover tape 3 b is peeled off and the component is exposed. Accordingly, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the component in carrier tape 3 after cover tape 3 b is peeled off.

In flap 20 provided in opening portion 2 d, a stopper that positions the rotation position of flap plate 20 a in the first open state and the second open state is provided. In the first open state, the position of flap plate 20 a is fixed by abutting against a stopper surface provided on a circumferential surface of roller 9 b or a stopper surface provided in the frame of main body 1 a.

In addition, in the second open state, the position of flap plate 20 a is fixed by abutting against the stopper surface provided in the frame of the main body 1 a. In addition, the pair of roller 9 a and roller 9 b which configure peeler 9, the diameter of the other roller 9 b which functions as the stopper surface in proximity to flap plate 20 a of blown-up flap 20, is set to be smaller than that of one roller 9 a. In addition, the diameter of roller 9 b may be the same as that of roller 9 a.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a configuration for ensuring the rotation operation in which flap plate 20 a returns to the second open state after stopping the ejection of the air from air nozzle 13 in flap 20 having the above-described function. In other words, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 6B, the rotation operation in which flap plate 20 a returns to the second open state is performed by gravity caused by the weight of flap plate 20 a. However, with the configuration, the operation tends to become unstable due to deterioration of a sliding state of hinge 20 b, and the reliable operation is not guaranteed.

As a countermeasure against the defect, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, in flap 20, torsion spring 21 that serves as an elastic portion for applying an elastic force to flap plate 20 a blown upward by the air ejected from air nozzle 13 and for setting the open state of opening portion 2 d to be the second open state is provided.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, coil 21 a of torsion spring 21 is fitted to hinge 20 b. In addition, one arm 21 b is pressed against the frame, and the distal end of other arm 21 c abuts against flap plate 20 a, and the elastic force of torsion spring 21 acts in a direction (arrow j) of pressing down flap plate 20 a. Accordingly, an elastic force for always positioning flap plate 20 a at the position that corresponds to the second open state acts on flap 20, and a stable return operation to the second open state is realized. In addition, not being limited to torsion spring 21, compression spring or tension spring may be used.

In addition, FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which shutter member 23 that slides in the transport direction in the transport path 2 as the cover and changes the open state of opening portion 2 d in a configuration in which the cover that variably covers the open state of opening portion 2 d is provided, is used. In FIG. 9, in transport path 2, shutter member 23 is held slidably (arrow k) in the transport direction by guide rail 22 a to be positioned on the downstream side of opening portion 2 d.

Shutter member 23 slides by slide driving mechanism 22 configured to decelerate the rotation of motor 22 b that serves as a driving source by worm gear 22 c and deceleration gear 22 d. Accordingly, it becomes possible to change the opening size of opening portion 2 d to first opening space S1 in a state where shutter member 23 is retracted from the opening surface of opening portion 2 d and second opening space S2 in a state where shutter member 23 returns to a predetermined position of the opening surface of opening portion 2 d.

Here, first opening space 51 and second opening space S2 correspond to first opening space 51 and second opening space S2 in FIGS. 5A to 6B. When comparing the spaces with each other, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 6B, while the opening sizes of first opening space S1 and second opening space S2 are fixed, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, it becomes possible to set the opening sizes of second opening space S2 to any size.

In the above-described configuration, shutter member 23 that slides along the transport direction of transport path 2 and changes the open state of opening portion 2 d is a cover which variably covers the open state of opening portion 2 d. Further, slide driving mechanism 22 for sliding shutter member 23 is an operator for operating the cover. In addition, a state where the open state of opening portion 2 d is first opening space S1 corresponds to the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b.

In addition, a state where the open state of opening portion 2 d is second opening space S2 corresponds to a second open state where the opening size is smaller than that in the first open state and the passage of cover tape 3 b peeled off from carrier tape 3 is not impeded. In addition, in the second open state, shutter member 23 that serves as the cover is positioned on the opening surface of opening portion 2 d, and the upper surface of base tape 3 a in a state where cover tape 3 b is peeled off and the component is exposed is covered. Accordingly, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the component in carrier tape 3 after cover tape 3 b is peeled off.

Next, the tape transport operation of transporting carrier tape 3 along transport path 2 in tape feeder 1A having the above-described configuration and the tape peeling method for peeling off cover tape 3 b from base tape 3 a of carrier tape 3 in the tape transport operation, will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the tape transport operation, a tape transporting step in which carrier tape 3 is transported along transport path 2, and the component is fed to component pickup position 2 c by the component mounter, is executed. When starting the tape transporting process, the tape input for feeding carrier tape 3 which is a component supply target into transport path 2 from tape input port 2 a illustrated in FIG. 4 is performed. At this time, in the distal end portion on the downstream side of carrier tape 3, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, end portion processing is performed such that cover tape 3 b is partially peeled off from the upper surface of base tape 3 a only by a predetermined length in advance and it is easy to capture the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b by peeler 9.

By inputting the tape, second tape transport means 7B is activated, and as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the input carrier tape 3 is transported to the downstream side along transport path 2 (arrow a). When transporting the tape, in peeler 9 disposed in inclined portion 2 b, rollers 9 a and 9 b are in a rotating state (arrows b and c) in a direction in which the rollers 9 a and 9 b can sandwich and capture cover tape 3 b, and further, first sprocket 5A also rotates so as to make it possible to transport carrier tape 3 (arrow d). In addition, roller 9 a rotates as the sprocket attached to roller 9 a receives power from carrier tape 3.

In the tape transport process, a detecting step of detecting the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2 by detector 12 is executed, and the detection result is fed to controller 16. In addition, based on the detection result, a peeling step of peeling roller 9 b from carrier tape 3 via opening portion 2 d is executed by peeler 9 provided above transport path 2.

In the peeling step, a covering step of variably covering the open state of opening portion 2 d with the cover is executed before and after. In other words, in the covering step executed prior to the peeling step, the open state of opening portion 2 d is set to the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b. In addition, in the covering step after the peeling step, the open state of opening portion 2 d is set to be the second open state where the opening size is smaller than that in the first open state and the passage of cover tape 3 b peeled off from carrier tape 3 is not impeded.

The covering step is executed by an operating step of operating the cover based on the detection result in the above-described detecting step. In other words, in the operating step, the cover is operated based on the detection result in the detecting step, and the open state of opening portion 2 d is set to be the first open state.

Here, in a case where the cover is flap 20 illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 6B, based on the detection result in the detecting step, the air is ejected by air nozzle 13 which is the ejector, and the gas ejecting step of blowing the ejected air against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 and flap 20 is executed. The gas ejection in the gas ejecting step is performed as controller 16 controls solenoid valve 19 based on the detection result of the above-described detecting step.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, in the process in which carrier tape 3 is further transported along transport path 2 (arrow e), at the timing when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b detected by detector 12 reaches the position where the peeling is possible by peeler 9, the gas ejecting step is executed. In other words, the air ejected from air nozzle 13 is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 and flap 20 from below carrier tape 3 (arrow f).

In this manner, as the air is blown against flap 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, flap plate 20 a is blown upward by an ejecting force of the air. Accordingly, the open state of opening portion 2 d is set to be the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b. In addition, in ejecting the air, the air is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, and accordingly, similar to First Example, the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9 via opening portion 2 d.

After cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9 in this manner, the open state of opening portion 2 d is returned to the second open state illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In other words, the ejection of the air by air nozzle 13 is stopped, or carrier tape 3 passes through and the air does not hit flap plate 20 a, and accordingly, flap plate 20 a returns to the state illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B by gravity. In addition, in order to ensure the rotation operation in which flap plate 20 a returns to the second open state, a configuration as illustrated in FIG. 8B is used. In this case, in flap 20, the elastic force of torsion spring 21 that serves as an elastic portion acts on flap plate 20 a blown upward by the air ejected from air nozzle 13, and the open state of opening portion 2 d is set to be the second open state.

In feeding cover tape 3 b after cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9, cover tape 3 b passes through second opening space S2 of opening portion 2 d which is in the second open state. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tape is further fed in a direction away from carrier tape 3 (arrow h), and is fed into cover tape collector 14.

In addition, as the cover, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in a case where shutter member 23 that slides in the transport direction of transport path 2 and changes the open state of opening portion 2 d is used, in the above-described covering step, shutter member 23 slides by slide driving mechanism 22 that serves as an operator and the open state of opening portion 2 d is changed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the overall configuration of tape feeder 1B which is the component supply device of Third Example in the embodiment, will be described. Tape feeder 1B has the same function as that of tape feeder 1 (refer to FIG. 1) in First Example. In addition, in FIG. 10, the same reference numerals will be given to elements having the same configuration as that of tape feeder 1 of First Example, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

In FIG. 10, main body 1 a is provided with transport path 2 having the same configuration as that of transport path 2 in First Example. Carrier tape 3 fed from tape input port 2 a to transport path 2 is transported along transport path 2 by first tape transport means 7A and second tape transport means 7B which are transporters. In inclined portion 2 b of transport path 2, peeler 9 provided above transport path 2 communicates with transport path 2 via opening portion 2 d which is open on the upper surface side of inclined portion 2 b. Similar to Second Example, peeler 9 has a function of peeling off cover tape 3 b from carrier tape 3 via opening portion 2 d.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, in the transport path 2, plate-like tape cover 24 is disposed along transport path 2 to be positioned between carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2 and a ceiling surface of transport path 2. Tape cover 24 is a coater that covers the upper surface of carrier tape 3 from which cover tape 3 b has been peeled off by peeler 9, and has a function of stabilizing a posture of the component in base tape 3 a from which cover tape 3 b is peeled off and of which the upper surface is exposed. In addition, an installation state of tape cover 24 in transport path 2 may be in sliding contact with the ceiling surface of carrier tape 3 or may be separated from the upper surface of carrier tape 3 with a slight gap therebetween.

As illustrated in FIG. 11B, at the position that corresponds to opening portion 2 d in tape cover 24, opening 24 a having a size encompassing opening portion 2 d is provided. At one end of tape cover 24 positioned on the downstream side of opening 24 a, flap 20A having the same configuration as that of flap 20 in Second Example is provided. Flap 20A includes thin plate-like flap plate 20 a and hinge 20 b that rotatably holds flap plate 20 a. Hinge 20 b is fixed to one end of tape cover 24, and the open state of opening portion 2 d can be changed as flap plate 20 a rotates around hinge 20 b.

At the position facing opening portion 2 d below transport path 2, air nozzle 13 for ejecting the air is disposed while the air ejecting direction is oriented toward flap 20A provided in tape cover 24. Similar to Second Example, air nozzle 13 has a function as an ejector that ejects the air which is an operation gas based on the detection result of detector 12, and blows the ejected air against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 and flap 20A. In addition, in Third Example, air nozzle 13 having the above-described configuration corresponds to the operator that operates flap 20A which is the cover based on the detection result of detector 12.

In the operating step executed by the operator, the air is ejected from air nozzle 13 based on the detection result in the detecting step by detector 12 and is blown against flap plate 20 a. Accordingly, flap plate 20 a is blown upward (arrow m) and retracted from opening 24 a. Accordingly, first opening space S1 which does not interfere with the capture of cover tape 3 b by peeler 9 is formed on the opening surface of opening portion 2 d. Accordingly, opening portion 2 d has the first open state similar to that of Second Example.

In addition, the ejection of the air from air nozzle 13 is stopped, or carrier tape 3 passes through and the air does not hit flap plate 20 a, and accordingly, flap plate 20 a returns to an original position of opening 24 a. Accordingly, at the position that corresponds to the gap between flap plate 20 a and the frame end portion of main body 1 a on the opening surface of opening portion 2 d, second opening space S2 in which the opening size is smaller than that of first opening space S1 in the first open state is formed. Accordingly, opening portion 2 d is set to be in the second open state similar to Second Example, and obtains the effects which are the same as those described above.

As described above, in tape feeder 1 according to the embodiment, in the configuration in which carrier tape 3 in which the component is stored and of which the upper surface is sealed with cover tape 3 b is transported along transport path 2, peeler 9 that peels cover tape 3 b from carrier tape 3 above transport path 2, air nozzle 13 that ejects the air for capturing cover tape 3 b by peeler 9, and detector 12 that detects the distal end portion of carrier tape 3 transported along transport path 2, are provided. In addition, the air is ejected from air nozzle 13 at the timing when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches the position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9, the air is blown against the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, and cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9. Accordingly, it is possible to stably capture the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b by leading the distal end portion to the tape peeling mechanism by the ejection of the air.

In addition, in tape feeder 1A according to the embodiment, in the configuration in which carrier tape 3 in which the component is stored and of which the upper surface is sealed with cover tape 3 b is transported along transport path 2, peeler 9 that peels cover tape 3 b from carrier tape 3 via opening portion 2 d provided above transport path 2, flap 20 that variably covers the open state of opening portion 2 d, and air nozzle 13 that ejects the air for capturing cover tape 3 b by peeler 9, are provided. In addition, the air is ejected from air nozzle 13 at the timing when the distal end portion of cover tape 3 b reaches the position where the distal end portion can be captured by peeler 9, the air is blown against flap 20 and the distal end portion of carrier tape 3, the open state of opening portion 2 d is set to be the first open state where peeler 9 can capture cover tape 3 b, and cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9.

Accordingly, after cover tape 3 b is captured by peeler 9, the opening size of opening portion 2 d is changed to the second opening size which is smaller than that in the first open state, and after cover tape 3 b is peeled off, it is possible to cover the upper surface of carrier tape 3 with flap 20. Therefore, both the reliable peeling of cover tape 3 b and the stabilizing of the component posture after peeling off the cover tape can be achieved.

The component supply device and the tape peeling method in the component supply device of the disclosure have the effect that it is possible to stably capture the distal end portion of the cover tape by leading the distal end portion to the tape peeling mechanism, and are advantageous in a component mounting field in which the component picked up from the component supply device is mounted on the board. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter, the component supply device comprising: a transporter that transports a carrier tape along a transport path, the carrier tape storing the component and having an upper surface sealed with a cover tape; a peeler that is disposed above the transport path and peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape; and an ejector that ejects a gas for capturing the cover tape by the peeler.
 2. The component supply device of claim 1, further comprising: a detector that detects a distal end portion of the carrier tape transported along the transport path; and a controller that controls a timing when the ejector ejects the gas based on a detection result of the detector.
 3. The component supply device of claim 2, wherein the controller causes the ejector to eject the gas such that the gas is blown against the distal end portion of the carrier tape at a timing when the distal end portion of the cover tape reaches a position where the capturing is possible by the peeler.
 4. The component supply device of claim 2, wherein the controller causes the ejector to start ejection of the gas before the distal end portion of the cover tape reaches a position where the capturing is possible by the peeler.
 5. The component supply device of claim 1, wherein the ejector blows the ejected gas from below the carrier tape against the distal end portion of the carrier tape.
 6. The component supply device of claim 1, wherein the peeler includes one roller and an other roller, wherein the ejector presses the cover tape against the one roller by blowing the ejected gas against the distal end portion of the carrier tape, and wherein the peeler peels off the cover tape by sandwiching and pulling the pressed cover tape by the one roller and the other roller.
 7. A tape peeling method for peeling off a cover tape from a carrier tape in a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter, the carrier tape storing the component and having an upper surface sealed with the cover tape, the method comprising: transporting the carrier tape along a transport path; peeling the cover tape from the carrier tape by a peeler disposed above the transport path; and ejecting by an ejector a gas for capturing the cover tape by the peeler.
 8. The tape peeling method in a component supply device of claim 7, wherein a distal end portion of the carrier tape transported along the transport path is detected, and wherein a timing when the gas is ejected is controlled based on the detection result.
 9. The tape peeling method in a component supply device of claim 8, wherein the ejected gas is blown against the distal end portion of the carrier tape at a timing when the distal end portion of the cover tape reaches a position where the capturing is possible by the peeler.
 10. The tape peeling method in a component supply device of claim 8, wherein ejection of the gas is started before the distal end portion of the cover tape reaches a position where the capturing is possible by the peeler.
 11. The tape peeling method in a component supply device of claim 7, wherein the ejected gas is blown from below the carrier tape against the distal end portion of the carrier tape.
 12. The tape peeling method in a component supply device of claim 7, wherein the peeler includes one roller and an other roller, wherein the cover tape is pressed against the one roller by blowing the ejected gas against the distal end portion of the carrier tape, and wherein the cover tape is peeled off by sandwiching and pulling the pressed cover tape by the one roller and the other roller. 